Free Wielder: Apprentice: Book 1 of Lady Shey's Story (The Wielder Cycle) by Mark E Tyson

goes along smoothly. Do not hesitate to call on us if you feel it is necessary.”
    Dicarion took both of Marella’s hands in his. “Marella Arden, I chose you as my apprentice and bind you to my service.”
    “I accept your apprenticeship, Master Dicarion, and will serve you until you release me,” Marella said. As she spoke the oath, her dress turned from grey to white.
    Toborne stood and took Sheyna’s hands in his. His touch was electric, and she almost pulled her hands back. His blue eyes seemed to sparkle as he looked her in the eye. “Sheyna Namear, I choose you as my apprentice and bind you to my service.”
    Sheyna was unsure exactly what she was supposed to say, so she repeated Marella’s words. “I accept your apprenticeship, Master Toborne, and will serve you until you release me.” She bowed deeply and noticed her grey dress changed to a forest green. Toborne grinned like the cat that just ate the prized canary.
    Enowene shook both Marella and Sheyna’s hands and bid them good tidings.
    “Now we will adjourn. It is tradition for new apprentices to follow your masters to their chambers so that you may know where to receive your new lessons tomorrow,” Enowene said.
    Sheyna followed Toborne high up into the tower to his chambers. With the wave of a hand, the sconces on the walls all lit up, illuminating the room. The chamber was pleasant for the most part, with shelves of books lining a circular room. There were two huge desks opposite each other in the center of the room on top of bearskin rugs. Toborne searched the bookshelves and took down two books. “I wish for you to study these two books. They contain several techniques on how to efficiently draw upon essence and use it to your advantage.” Toborne sat behind his desk and motioned for Sheyna to be seated at the other. “One other point you should know, my dear. I have a secret you may be interested in.”
    “Oh, what is that?” Sheyna asked.
    Toborne took out a long clay pipe and stuffed it with tabac. “You see, I am not the most agreeable master; I require a certain excellence from my apprentices. I require excellence from you in all things I teach you. In fact, I demand it.”
    Sheyna nodded. “I shall do my very best.”
    “There is a good reason why I am the fastest trainer. I learned a spell some seasons ago from another wielder who needed apprentices to learn more quickly than most so he could have soldiers for his war. I am afraid it’s a bit dangerous and could just as easily burn out your brain as easily as teach you.”
    “I am not sure I want to be on the receiving end of such a spell.”
    Toborne nodded as if he understood, but before Sheyna could detect it, he released essence and cast the spell over her. He was remarkably stealthy at gathering essence. Next to him, everyone else she met who could draw essence sounded and felt loud and clumsy. She panicked for a moment as he held her with essence. He used his free hand to open a magical tome. Sheyna could feel and see the words lifting from it, floating in the air. A stream of words traveled along the essence Toborne held her with, and she found that she was no longer fearful or frightened. The knowledge flowed into her as effortlessly as water flowing in a river. After a moment, she decided she liked the power flowing into her but disliked the method. She began to push against the stream, and Toborne strengthened his grip, which just made her angrier. After a time, the stream of knowledge began to give her a headache, but Toborne did not abate.
    “Don’t fight it. I was only joking about this being dangerous,” Toborne said with a twisted smile.
    “I know a lie when I hear it,” Sheyna managed to say.
    “Indeed, then let us see how close we can get to your mental limit, shall we?” He strengthened his power.
    Slowly, Sheyna realized the runes and words on the tomes around her were changing, becoming clearer, becoming readable. On the shelf behind Toborne, one of the